Three men have been charged in connection with a machete attack on the 63-year-old treasurer of a village savings and loans association in Katine last week.

Julius Olobo, Charles Okirima and Michael Akoru, from Katine, appeared in Soroti court this week charged with attempted murder and theft of UShs 4.2m (around $2,100). They have been remanded in custody in Soroti prison. Soroti is the nearest town to Katine sub-county.

Mary Kokoi, treasurer of the VSLA set up by the Emorikikinos farmers group, was attacked in her hut in Olochoi village in the earlier hours of last Thursday. She sustained cuts to her head, back and shoulder. A metal box with the group's savings of UShs 4.2m were taken.

Kokoi's 18-year-old daughter, Teddy Amaddo, was also injured in the attack. Both women were taken to Soroti hospital, but have now been discharged.

A visibly weak Kokoi said: "Although I have completed my treatment, I'm not yet OK. I feel much better now, except I still feel pain on the head due to stitches and the heart, where they kicked me during the attack."

The metal box containing the money has yet to be found and one resident has paid for a witch doctor in the hope he could compel the suspects to return the money. According to James Emeru, Kokoi's eldest son, their neighbour, a man called Orotin, paid UShs 300,000 and one cock to hire the witch doctor's services last Saturday.

"The witch doctor came and did some sacrifices inside mother's hut, where he left a small bottle planted in the middle. He claimed the thieves would return the money at 1am [the hour of the robbery], but up to now there is nothing," he said.

Every day that passes with no news of the whereabouts of the money breeds frustration and bitterness among members of the VSLA. Immaculate Agwame, a group member, was distraught about the theft. "When I recall how I used to struggle saving, my body loses strength and tears begin to flow. Please, I even do not want to talk about it," she said this week.

James Edaru, the secretary of the Emorikikinos group, said last week that the theft had left members heartbroken. The money was due to be distributed among the group the day after it was stolen. VSLAs are wound up after 52 weeks and the money distributed to members.